The pneumatically operated wet and dry vacuum can be used to recover spilled liquids, including fuels. In this way, the use of rags, absorbents, and other spill collection items are minimized.

The vacuum operates pneumatically, connected to a compressor. The vacuumed liquid can then be stored in 55-gallon drums or other suitable containers for recycling, reuse, or proper disposal. In this way the use of absorbent materials for spill response is reduced or eliminated. Since absorbent materials that have been used to address spills are normally heavy in weight, the use of the pneumatic spill vacuum can help to lower hazardous waste disposal costs.

The pneumatic spill vacuum is in use at several DOD installations, including Hickam AFB. Non-electric, air operated, explosion-proof vacuums for fuel spills are also available.

Use of a pneumatic spill vacuum can decrease the amount of hazardous waste generated at a facility since absorbents do not have to be used. The decrease in hazardous waste helps facilities meet the requirements of waste reduction under RCRA, 40 CFR 262, Appendix, and may also help facilities reduce their generator status and lessen the level of regulatory requirements (i.e., recordkeeping, reporting, inspections, transportation, accumulation time, emergency prevention and preparedness, emergency response) with which they must comply under RCRA, 40 CFR 262.

The compliance benefits listed here are only meant to be used as a general guideline and are not meant to be strictly interpreted. Actual compliance benefits will vary depending on the factors involved, e.g. the amount of workload involved.

Consult your local industrial health specialist, your local health and safety personnel, and the appropriate MSDS prior to implementing this technology.

• Minimizes the use and cost of absorbents such as pillows, rags, and brooms
• Minimizes contact personnel may have with liquid spills
• Decreases disposal costs associated with absorbents
• Can be used on a variety of liquid spills, lessening the need for specific absorbents for specific chemicals
• Improves spill response by accelerating spill clean-up
• If used for small fuel spills, recovered material may be managed as a product (useable as a fuel, to include being burned for energy recovery) instead of being disposed as hazardous waste

• Requires energy source (air compressor, or an explosion-proof electrical power supply)
• Requires proper disposal of spent activated carbon used in the vacuum

Assumptions:

• 1,000 gal of fuel spilled/yr.
• Number of 55-gal drums filled/yr: 18
• Cost of disposing 55-gal drum filled with fuel: $200/55-gal drum (includes transportation cost)
• Cost of disposing one 55-gal drum of spent activated charcoal: $450/55-gal. drum
• Volume of gasoline for compressor/yr: 100 gal.
• Cost of gasoline: $1.20/gal.
• Labor associated with collecting spills using pneumatic spill vacuum (at 1,000 gal./yr.): 150 hrs for one individual
• Labor required for spill vacuum maintenance: 10 hrs/yr.
• Absorbents procurement cost: $5,000 (for 1,000 gal.)
• Disposal costs for absorbents/yr: $8,000/yr
• Labor associated with collecting spills using absorbents (at 1,000 gal/yr): 100 hrs each for three individuals
• Labor rate: $30/hr.

Annual Operating Cost Comparison for Pneumatic Spill Vacuum and Absorbents

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Approval is controlled locally and should be implemented only after engineering approval has been granted. Major claimant approval is not required.

Air Force approval is controlled locally and should be implemented only after coordination with the installation environmental management function. The installation environmental management activities should ensure local, state and Federal regulations are followed.